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Latest update: November 2025

Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail - Northwest Section

Moore Haven to Okeechobee - 31 miles

This section runs from Moore Haven back to the Kissimmee River at Okeechobee. This section is not lakeside, but through marshlands. Restrooms are available at the Harney Pond Canal Recreation Area. (Map link and photos below.)

Trail Map link...
Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail

 Page Summary:

Biking on LOST - Northwest - Moore Haven to Okeechobee - 31 miles

1. Moore Haven to Lakeport
   - Moore Haven-west
   - Fisheating Creek
   - Lakeport
2. Harney Pond Canal to Kissimmee River
   - Harney Pond Canal (Sam Griffith Overlook)
   - Dyess Ditch
   - Indian Prairie

Moore Haven to Harney Pond Canal - 14 miles

This section is paved. Portions of the trail run roadside.

Moore Haven to Lockport (10 miles)

Moore Haven - West access
(26.84105, -81.08954)

• After crossing the Caloosahatchee Canal, the trail continues along US 27 about 1/4 mile before cutting off onto local roads. Follow First St. to Canal St. and the entrance to Moore Haven Lock and Dam, go up the ramp onto the dike to continue on the trail.
• There is no formal parking here, but we did observe some vehicles parked on the grass along the side of the road at the bottom of the ramp.

On the Dike

Leaving Moore Haven the trail runs on the dike along the rim canal with broad marsh views. The first 3.5 miles is removed from the road and quiet, then draws closer to SR 78 for the next 3 miles.

On the dike

Trail along SR 78

 

Approaching Lakeport

Down to the road

 

Roadside

At Fisheating Creek, the trail descends off the dike to run 3.5 miles alongside the road, partly as a bike lane. This section passes two boat ramps along the creek, providing access to Lake Okeechobee.

Off the dike

Trail along SR 78

To the roadside

 

At Fisheating Creek

 

Trail resumes

Roadside again;

To boat ramp

 

Trail continues back onto dike

Lockport Boat Ramp to Harney Pond Canal Park (4 miles)
(26.96866, -81.1179) to (26.99665, -81.06804)

• After passing the Lockport Boat Ramp, the trail leaves the road and goes back up onto the dike passing the "Welcome to Lakeport" sign. The trail runs along the canal, paved, with marsh views. Along the way is the S131 lock.
• Approaching SR 78, a bridge (Maxwell's Bridge) has been constructed over the Harney Pond Canal to the park. Across from the bridge, the trail continues unpaved.
• Harney Pond Canal Recreation and Picnic Area (formally known as Margaret Van De Velde Park) is a good stop with parking, restrooms, picnicking, and fishing pier. Popular for fishing, the boat launch gives access to the Harney Pond Canal and Lake Okeechobee. The Sam Griffin Scenic Tower has some of the best views of Lake Okeechobee, and is good for birdwatching. A paved trail runs along the canal the length of the park between the bridge and tower (about 2/10 mile).

On the Trail

Up to dike

 

On the dike

 

Approaching bridge over Harney Pond Canal

 

Canal toward SR 78

To Harney Park

 

Trail continues, unpaved

 

Harney Pond Canal Recreation Area (Sam Griffin Scenic Tower)

Sam Griffin Scenic Tower, picnic, restrooms

Sam Griffin Scenic Tower

 

 

 

 

Trail back to dike

 

Back at the trail bridge

Harney Pond Canal to Kissimmee River - 17 miles

This section is unpaved along the rim canal, with marsh views. We visited access points.

Dyess Ditch (Bare Beach Recreation Area)
(27.0029, -81.0522)

Access is off SR 78 at Dyess Rd., about 1 mile from the Harney Pond Canal. The access ramp from the road is paved, crossing the trail and continuing down to dirt parking at the boat ramp, no other facilities. The trail remains unpaved except at the road crossing.

Access ramp

On the dike

Trail from south

Trail to north

Down to boat ramp

Indian Prairie Canal
(27.06114, -80.97226)

Access is off SR 78 at the Indian Prairie Canal, about 8 miles from Dyess Ditch. Dirt parking is on the south side of the canal at the boat ramp (no other facilities). Parallel to the paved access road, the trail detours out to SR 78 to cross the canal, then continues along the canal on the north side.

Trail to the south

 

At the boat ramp

To the road

Cross the canal

Continue on the north

Indian Prairie to Kissimmee River (8 miles)

The trail runs, unpaved, off the road and away from the lake along the Buckhead Ridge, with marsh views, to the mouth of the Kissimmee River. It then descends to roadside to cross the river via a bike lane. Across the river, parking and restrooms are available at the Oke-tantie Recreation Area and C. Scott Driver Recreation Area.

Continue to Northeast Section - Okeechobee to Port Mayacas

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